Tuesday, October 30, 2012

If you've been dropping into this blog for a while, you may know that I tend to take on large projects. Big, worktable eating projects that initially seem like a great idea but soon have me wondering what the heck I was thinking.

After a few thousand nights hours and hours of working at these table-eaters, I'm usually pleased with the results. But holy crap, they do suck up some hours.

And darned if I didn't do it again. Here's a peek at the latest project that's devouring my worktable.

Still not entirely sure what this will become. I have had several ideas along the way, but the ideas keep shifting and changing.

So it's back to step by step progress, do a little bit and then set it aside. The project has moved forward a bit beyond the stage in the photo, but I think it's time for it to sit and marinate for a while.

Monday, October 29, 2012

Y'all, I've been terribly remiss in posting about one of the best weekends I've had in a long, long time.

A couple of weekends ago, I was part of the Kentuck Festival, a fabulous art show outside Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where my family and I lived for nearly 15 years. Pat and I went down a day early so we'd have time to visit old friends and co-workers, eat in some of our favorite restaurants, drive by our old house (several times), wander around the University of Alabama campus, and generally soak up the atmosphere of the town we raised our kids in.

Here's Pat, getting ready to satisfy a culinary craving.Seriously, I have dreams about this restaurant's sausage and roasted peppers.

Here's a glimpse of the view from my booth shortly before we opened on Saturday -- there were about 280 artists in all. See the beautiful tall pine trees? I had nearly forgotten the aroma of a pine forest in the autumn. Fantastic.

The visit back "home" was great. The show was great. I saw people I hadn't seen in seven years. I hugged more people and caught up on more news than I could have imagined. And one of the highlights was getting to meet Therese of Therese's Treasures!

Funny coincidence -- I knew Therese's brother when I lived in Alabama. Realized the connection by accident in an online conversation with Therese here on the beading blogs. Wild, huh?

Anyway, not only did Therese gift me with a lovely visit, she slipped me a sweet little gift...

yes, the beautiful ribbon wrapped around the box will find its way into a piece of jewelry

A beautiful Therese-woven pendant, earrings with beads by (I'm guessing) JulsBeads, and a couple of lovely cabochons. She spoiled me!!

And I'm here to tell you that not only is Therese a wonderful and generous lady who always has a kind comment here on the blogs, but she's magic -- as soon as she came to my booth, customers started crowding in, trying things on and making purchases. She was my good luck charm that day. Thanks for everything, Therese!

Thursday, October 11, 2012

...but apparently I lied. Or was easily tempted to change my mind. Or had a bead that was too perfect to ignore.

Let's go with #3.

I swore I wouldn't do another challenge until after the holidays, but the other night I heard a little voice saying "Psst, hey, I'd be perfect for this month's Art Bead Scene Challenge."

What, you don't hear your beads talking to you? Okay, maybe it's partially the fever I've been fighting for a couple of days, but I'll let you be the judge. Here's the inspiration artwork this month, Revolving by Kirt Schwitters.

Here's one piece I found that had been lying around, waiting for its clasp to be fabricated and woven on.

"Swirl", the newly rediscovered and completed necklace

I remember buying the focal bead in D.C. about, oh, three years ago, and working the necklace up pretty quickly after I got home again. Why it sat unfinished for so long is one of those archaeological mysteries best left for the ages.

Anyway, it's done and completed, and ready to go to Alabama for my next show in a few weeks.